Rogue landlord punished for providing sub-standard rental

Release Date: 15 November 2017

A rogue landlord has been fined £10,000 for providing sub-standard rental accommodation to a local family following a court case brought by Richmond Council.

An investigation by the Council’s Environmental Health team on a property containing three flats rented to families found serious issues across all the properties, including a ceiling that was not adequately fixed following a leak.

An Improvement Notice served by the Council on the landlord, under the Housing Act 2004, was ignored, leading the Council to seek a solution through the Courts.

Cllr Mark Boyle, Cabinet member for Housing, Public Health and Community Safety said:

“The Council is committed to ensuring families in our borough have access to safe, warm, and dry housing and protecting them from sub-standard landlords. This landlord was instructed to fix the issues at the property by a council Environmental Health Officer to ensure the families in these properties, which included young children, were living in a safe and healthy home.

“Rogue landlords should take notice that the Council will not hesitate to exercise all options available to it in seeking solutions to sub-standard housing, this case makes that clear.”

Landlord Piara Singh Sehajpal was fined £10,000 plus costs to the Council of £1,500 and a Victim Surcharge of £170. A Collection Order has been put in place and he has 28 days to make payment.

Notes for editors

If you are a journalist and would like further information about this press release, contact Lyle Skipsey on 020 8487 5182.